Hello everyone. Since this seems like the place to pull up the soapbox and rant on and on about whatever you would like ... er, um ... Let's start at the start shall we?

When I graduated high school the coolest thing was being able to do your homework on the apples (IIc? IIIc? i don't remember) instead of the pdp.

I remember when a 2d polygon rotating, moving off the screen and "HOLY CRAP !!!", back on the other side, would have your allowance money gone in no time flat. (that's at 25 cents kiddies)

I had the full run of Amiga's from the c64 to a monster 4000 that is still in operation to this day. Yeah, I am too.

Over the years I have programmed in basic of course. During the Arexx years I tried to fiddle with C but never got much past "Hello World". Most of that time I used ARexx for pretty much everything a buddy and I were doing. We were using Lightwave, a supreme modeling and Layout package for animation. Fortunately the only way to get Lightwave was to get the Video Toaster. To get the Toaster you had to have an Amiga to plug in to. Now, I say fortunately because IMHO the amiga OS was so far ahead of it's time that if it had been marketed and developed we would be seeing a lot more unix boxes out there now. You could design interfaces that opened on the workbench quite easily. But it was more of a scripting language to tie all the computer hardware together. Oh yeah, it was good for writing add in's for the bbs software CNet 3.0 if my addled brain is not mistaken.

More recently I have worked with PocketC by orbworks.com. That uses a "C-like" syntax and is a great way to get an app working on a palm os device with little more than understanding logic. You almost feel like you are programming. I lucked on to a book written by John Smiley. You kind of ride along in the back of the classroom as the students ask (and re-ask) questions. It is an unusual way for me to see this information put out this way and so far it is going great. I hope to have the course complete in the next few weeks. For me, the best part has been the understanding of the topics covered. Now, when I post here I feel like I can be a part of the group.

From what I have seen there is a good core group of people here and that can only mean that the numbers will grow in the future. I must commend you all on what seems to be the way of the gun here:

"Don't bash the new person for being new to programming, just bash the 'tell me' vs. 'teach me' mentality."

That is one thing that can be frustrating when you are still a little timid around a command line compiler. ;-) That leads to my next point. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a forum for the person with a homework assignment who just wasn't getting it from their class time. The threads could be rated by the moderator as BRAND NEW, GETN' IT and AP. Perhaps I should start a thread in the C/C++ forum to that effect. Check the thread <Mark-put link here> for more information and a rule structure I think would have to be in place. But I digress.


I gotta say, that guy just makes me laugh. Like the crazy old guy if you happen to live near a six flags where the commercials are nonstop.

I really am a cable guy. I have worked for cable tv companies since I got out of the army in 1988. You know, the olden days. As a side note, if you don't think 1988 was that long ago your body probably makes noise getting out of a chair like mine does. You be the judge.
It is enjoyable work since I am outdoors all day working 20 feet off the ground. No one looking over your shoulder, just me and my thoughts. Kind of cool that someone gives out money to do that. Cable systems are a lot like a computer program in the way that you have to pass point a to get to point b1, b2 and b3. If something is not right you troubleshoot back to the source and open the gate up. Localize, Isolate, Identify, Correct. That is Mosley what I do at work and I think I do the same thing when programming.

Well, this really turned out to be a long post. I due lean a bit toward the "long-winded" (Feel free to add your less PC adjective here). I guess it comes from lots of english classes and math classes. My two favorite subjects in school. Take care all. Hope I didn't bore anyone to death. If I did read the disclaimer.

disclaimer:
Mark Roth makes no representations about the suitability of this conversation for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

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Glad to see you! I had a C64 but really wanted an Amiga when they came out. Naturally, my parents wouldn't hear of it, having just spent a wad of $$ on the Commodore. I've heard so many good things about the Amiga and Video Toaster; I'm glad it's still being developed as a hobby OS (though I haven't tried to play w/ it yet).

So, since you're a cable guy, does that mean we get to read tutorials on how to get free cable? ;-)

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Hello Mark. We've chatted before, but I would like to officialy welcome you to GIDForums™. I will forever think of you as Jim Carrey, even if it is for the wrong reason (Cable Guy!)


You lost me a bit here, so if you get a chance could you clarify this in the GIDForums forum? No guarantees that there will be any changes, but I know that J always likes to hear peoples thoughts...

I know that you are a long ways away from Pittsburgh, but I am still jealous. I happen to like a certain football team in the area (look at my avatar for a hint) that I can only occasionly see in person. But on the other hand, we do have some pretty good skiing round these parts.

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Hello cable_guy_67,

Welcome to GIDForums™.

I appreciate the effort you put into your introduction message - yes, I actually read every word! Amiga? Video Toaster? Arexx? All these names are alien to me... you can tell I am not a geek after all

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